Road grader



April 16, 1940. 'Ff E;` AjQND-r l2,196,967

" non @KADER 2 sheets-sheet 1 Fi'ld Deo. 1:5, 1952 Arfx F. E. ARNDT April 16, 1940.

non emma Filed ned. 13, 19:52

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES non GnAnEa Franklin E. Arndt, Galion, Ohio, assignor to The Galion Iron Works and Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application December 13, 1932, Serial No. 646,997

24 Claims.

5 position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved and eillcient means for adjusting the mold board to a bank-sloping position and holding the same in such adjusted position during operation.

More particularly it is the object of the present invention to provide adjustable connections between the rear end of the drawbar and the rear portion of the supporting frame, which may be adjusted in angular positions relative to the drawbar and moved laterally to adjust the lateral position of the mold board.

Other objects of the invention will lappear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations. being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the road grader embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 -is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe road grader with the mold board adusted in high-,lift or bank-sloping position; i

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connections between the rear end of the drawbar andthe rear portion of the supporting frame;

And Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the rear portion of the road grader with only those parts ineluded to show the positions ofthe mold board and hangers relativeto the spaced-apart supporting beams of the machine frame. y

In Fig. 1 the portable frame 6 is' shown mounted on theforward wheels] and the rear Wheels 8. The usual steering lmechanism is ',shown at 9 and is connected to the steering wheel II.

Thesupporting frame 6 is a rigid structure comprising spaced-apart channel irons I2, I2 as shown in Fig. -5. Underneath the frame 6 lis mounted the drawbar I3 the forward end of which is pivoted at I4 to the frame of the machine. The drawbar I3 supports the usual semi. circle II5 which adjustably carries the mold board I6 as shown in Fig. 2. The semi-'circle I5 togetherwith the mold board I6 may be, rotated on a vertical axis relative to the drawbar I3 by means of the wheel- Il and the connections Il between the same andthe circle-rotating mech' ansm shown in 'dotted lines at I8 in Fig. 2. By means of a pull handle I9 the rod 20 may be actuated torelease the locking mechanism shown. in dotted lines at 2| in Fig. 2 whilethe Acircle is being rotated. Upon release'of the pull handle I3 the circle I 5 and the mold board I6 may beheld `by the rods I0, II)

at an adjusted angle in horizontal position relative to the road surface.

Mounted upon the frame 6 is a cross-piece '22 to the ends of which are secured at 23 and 24 bearings for the longitudinal horizontal shafts 25, 26 the rear ends of which are connected by means of worm gearing in the casings 2l and 28 to the spaced-apart vertical wheels 29, 3D which are mounted to rotatate on horizontal axes. in convenient position relative to the operators platform-3|.

The forward ends koi the longitudinal horizontal rods 25 and26 arevprovided'with crank arms 32, 33. These crank arms are connected by universal joints 34, 35 to the hangers 36, 3l each of which is provided with a rod 38 slidable' into a pipe 39. A clamp is provided at 48 and' includes a bolt for securing the sections 38. and 39 of the hanger rigidly in adjusted position. Furthermore, a pin may be inserted through holes 4I on opposite sides of the pipe 39 and a registering hole 42 in the rod 38, to absolutely prevent the rod 38 from sliding relatively to the pipe 39 after the parts have been adjusted.

The lower ends of the extensible hangers 36 and 31 are connected by means of the universal joints 43 and 44 to the cross-piece 45 which is rigidly secured to the rear end of the drawbar I3. It will thus be seen that the hangers 36 and 3l occupy vertical positions at opposite sides of the frame 6 when the mold board is in a horizontal position. Counterbalancing springs may be connected to the channel beams I2, I2 andto rotating sectors 46,l 4l respectively rigidly secured to the longitudinal rockshafts 2 5, 26.

The above described apparatus including the steering mechanism, the pivoted drawbar, the mold board and semi-circle ancthe means for adjusting the same may be of r'fell-known cony struction but as will be hcreinfter more fully explained the hangers are imp:.:,.ved as to their being individually extensible and locked inv adjusted position combined with universal joints at their ends and mounted in relation 4to the channel beams I2, I2 so as not to be interfered with thereby when the mold board is moved to its high-lift or bank-sloping position shown in Fig. 5. Such improved hangers also co-operate with the connections between the rear end of the drawbar and the rear portion of the supporting frame 6 as explained hereinafter.

Pivoted to brackets 48, 48 extending rearwardly from the crosspiece 45 on the rear end of the drawbar I3 is a member. comprising a zontal axis extending transversely of the rear end of the drawbar I3 and in the horizontal plane of the rear portion of this drawbar.

Pivoted on a vertical axis at 54 to thecrosspiece 5I is a plate 55 having reinforcing webs 56. 56 at its longitudinal edges. Intermediate the ends of the plate 55 is a hole for receiving a pin or a bolt 51 which hole is adapted to register with anyone of thc'holes 58, 58 in the semi-circular plate 50.

The outer end of the plate 55 is provided with a longitudinal socket 59 for receiving the sliding rod 6D the rear'end of which is pivoted on an upright axis 6l to the clevis v62 which in turn is pivoted on a horizontal axis at 63 to the laterally travelling support 64.

Mounted on the spaced-apart channel beams I2, I2 is a cross-piece 65 which carries a transverse plate 66 which serves to guide the carrier B4 transverselyof the machine frame. By means of a rod 61 operable by the operator on the platform 3l are bevel gears 68 which are adapted to rotate the screw-threaded rod 69 the ends of whichare mounted in the bearings 10, 10. The screw-threaded rod 69 is threaded through the carrier 64 so that when the shaft 61 is rotated and the bolt or pin at 51 is removed the plate 55 may be swung laterally on the upright pivot 54. It can readily be seen that when the plate 55 is thus swung on the pivot 54 to an angular position relative to the line of draft of the .road grader the plate 55' may be locked to the semicircular plate 50 in such angular position. For instance, if the carrier 64 is moved to one of the extreme ends of the screw-threaded rod 69 the bolt 51 may be used to secure the plate 55 in the outermost hole 58. Then upon returning the carrier 64 in the opposite direction and moving the same to the other extreme end of the screwthreaded rod 69 the mold board may be shifted laterally to a greater extent than when a connection confined to the line of draft is operated by such a screw-threaded rod.

When the bolt 51 is released the upright pivot 54 and the horizontal pivots 53 constitute a universal joint between the rear end of the drawbar I3 and the member 55. The rear end of the member 55 has a sliding connection with the rod 60 and the rear end of the rod 60 is connected by a universal joint to the carrier 64. It will thus be seen that the connection between the rear end of the drawbar and the. frame of the machine is extensible by reason of the rod 66 in the socket 59 and the ends of this connection are provided with universal joints respectively at the rear end of the drawbar and the transverse guide 66.

By referring to Fig. 2 i* will be seen that a securing plate 1I is riveted at 12 to the underside of the plate 55 and is provided with holes at its ends to receive the bolts 54 and 51. Consequently. since the plate 55 is on the upper side of the semi-circle 50 and the rear end of the plate 1| is on the under side thereof, the plate 55 is conned to adjustment arcuately on the pivot 54 and cannot be moved away from the plate 50.

With the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 4 the mold board will occupy a central position relative to the road surface and may be angularly adjusted by means of the semi-circle I5. By operating the hangers individually by means of the wheels 29 and 30 the rear end of the drawbar may be adjusted in elevation and lateral inclinalion and when such adjustment is made the' brackets 48 are varied in elevation relative to the arms 52 on the pivots 53. The rear end of the rod 60 may swing on the horizontal axis 63 and the rod 60 may move into the socket 59 during such adjustment of the mold board by means of the hangers 36, 31.

Not only do the adjustments shown in Fig. 4 including the angular adjustment of the plate 55 relative to the semi-circle 50, increase the extent to which the mold board may be shifted laterally by means of the screw-threaded rod 69 but such adjustments also increase the height to which the mold board may be lifted to one side of the machine or the other side thereoffor operation on sloping banks. Such bank-sloping position of the mold board is illustrated in Fig. 3.

When the mold board is to be moved to its bank-sloping position it is preferred to rst secure the plate 55 in an angular position remote from that side to which the mold board is to be moved. The plate 55 is then secured to the semicircle 50 and the screw-threaded rod 69 operated to shift laterally the rear end of the drawbar to a maximum extent while the mold board is still in an approximately horizontal plane. The drawbar is then in a lateral position relative to the line of draft and the plate 55 being bolted to the semi-circle 50 will compel the drawbar to move along a conical path upon operating the hangers by rotation of the crank arms 32, 33 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The rear end of the drawbar will then be at a higher elevation than its forward'end. In order to facilitate ample clearance of the mold board relative to the road surface during movement of the mold board to a` bank-sloping position the lateral shifting mechanism shown in Fig. 4 and the crank arms 32, 33 shown in Fig. 5 may be individually operated and whenever desired the hangers 36 and 31 may be extended or contracted and secured in adjusted positions. When the mold board has reached its bank-sloping position shown n Figs. 3 and 5 the angular relation between the plate 5 5 and the drawbar will be such as to afford means to assist the hangers 36, 31 in rigidly supporting the drawbar vin'adjusted bank-sloping position. The crank arms 32, 33 are locked by the worm gearing in the casings 21 and 28 and the hangers themselves are locked by the clamps at 40 and the pins in the holes 4I, 42. 'I'he pivot 54 occupies such an elevation as to cause the plate 55 to slope downwardly toward the carrier 64; consequently. notwithstanding the sliding connection at 59, 60, the bolt 51 is effective in holding the plate 55 in its angular position relative to the drawbar. Therefore, this angular locked relation assists in holding the mold board against movement either up or down during operation in bank-sloping position.

It should also be noted that the range of adjustment in elevation is increased by having the hangers 36 and 31 extensible inJength. Furthermore the extent to which the mold-board may be shifted laterally while parallel to the road surface may also. be increased by extending the lengths of the hangers. However, it is most important to have the hangers extensible in length so that the upper one may be relatively short while the lower one is relatively long when the mold-board is in bank-sloping position as shown in Fig. 5. During operation in bank-slopng position the lateral pressure on the cutting blade is resisted by the hangers and such resistance is made more effective by reason of the fact that the members 38 and 39 are telescopically related and clamped or locked in relative adjusted positions so as to lhold them rigidly in alinement with each other.

to such an angular position and locked there, that the outer edge of the circle I5 will be more elevated, and the outer end of the mold-board will also be elevated. The structure shown in Fig. 4 is pivoted to the rear end of the drawbar on an axis which extends horizontally and transversely when the mold-board is parallel to the road surface. When the outer edge of the circle is shifted upwardly to its maximum extent, the mold-board may be rotated by means of the circle so that its outer end will be at an increased elevated position. The mold-board may thus be adjusted to a steep angle both when viewed sidewise and when viewed endwise of the machine, and the moldboard may also cut along a steep bank. During such operation the rigid structure shown in Fig. 4, while being extensible durin'g adjustments, serves to cooperate with the drawbar to form-an arched support for the circle and the mold-board` The drawbar and the structure'shown in Fig. 4 are connected to the vehicle frame I2 at the forward and rear portions thereof and in addition thereto the drawbar is connected to the vehicle frame by means of the hangers 36 and 31. 'I'he forces resisting deep cuts into the sloping bank are therefore distributed over the end portions and side portions of the vehicle frame, thus enl abling the mold-board to very efdciently cut large amounts of material from the steep sloping banks.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto'appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodinient oi! my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a road grader, the combination with a wheel supported frame, of a drawbar pivotally connected at its forward end to said frame, a mold board adjustably carried by said drawbar,

means for lifting the rear end of said drawbar,

a support pivoted to the rear end of said drawbar on an axis extending transversely of the road grader, a member pivoted at one end to said support on an axis at right angles to the axis of said support, means for locking said member at an adjusted angle relative to said support, a rod pivotally connected at its rear end to the rear portion of said frame, and means connecting said lrod and member for relative sliding movement only.

2. In a road grader, a frame, a mold board, a drawbar having its front end connected to said frame, means for adjusting the rear end of said drawbar vertically relative to saidy frame, a part mounted on said frame for transverse movement in rear of said drawbar, a member pivotally connected to saidjdrawbar on an axis located in the plane ofthe drawbar, a second member pivotally connected to said first member on an axis' generally perpendicular to the axis of the connection between said first member andsaid drawbar, and a third member longitudinally slidable in said .second member, extending rearwardly therefrom,

and having its rear end connected .to said transversely Aslidable part'.

3. In a road grader, a frame, a mold board,

t a drawbar having its front end connected to Asaid frame, means for adjusting the rear end of said drawbar vertically relative to said trame, a part mounted on said frame for transverse movement in rear of said drawbar, a member connected to said drawbar for pivotal movement about two axes at an angle to each other, means for holding said member in any one of a plurality of different angular positions of adjustment about one of said axes, and a second member longitudinally slidable in the first-named member and connected to said transversely movable part.

4. In a road grader, a frame, a mold' board, a. drawbar having its front end connected to said frame, meansfor adjusting the rear end of said drawbar vertically relative to said frame, a part mounted on said frame for transverse movement in rear of said drawbar, a member connected to said transversely movable part, a second member pivotally connected to said drawbar, provisions guiding said two members for relative rectilinear sliding movement, and means for varying the angle between the axis of pivotal connection of the first-named member and the direction in which said two members are relatively slidable.

5. In a road grader, a frame, a mold board, a drawbar having its front end connected to said frame, means for adjusting the rear end of said .drawbar vertically relative to said frame, a part lthe rear end of said 'drawbar on a transverse axis, a link pivotedv to said support on an axis extending transversely of said transverse axis, means for securing said link in adjusted angular position relative to said support, laterally shifting mechanism carried by said frame, and anv operating connection between said vlaterally shifting mechanism and the rear end of said link.

7. In a road grader. the combination with a frame, of a drawbar pivoted at its forward end to said frame, means comprising spaced hangers for adjusting the elevation of said mold-board and its inclination relative to the vertical, a support pivotally connected to the rear end of said drawbar on a transverse axis, a "rearward extension from said support in lateral angular relation to the drawbar, and laterally shifting mechanism mounted on said frameV and connected to the rear end of said angular extension.

8. In a road grader, the combination with a portable frame, of a drawbar pivoted at its forward end to said frame, a mold-board mounted on said drawbar. transverse shifting mechanism on the'rear portion of said frame. a jointed connection between the rear e d of said drawbar and said shifting mechanis .v said jointed connection comprising an extensible link pivoted at its ends on parallel axes withy a telescopic slidin g connection between 'the pivots, and means associated with said link intermediate the ends thereof for locking the jointed connection at an adjusted angle relative to the drawbar.

9. In a road grader, the combination vwith a portable frame," of adrawbar pivoted at its for l0. In a road-working machine, the combina-` tion with a frame, of a drawbar pivotally connected at its forward end to said frame,"a road- Working implement carried by said drawbar, transverse shifting mechanism mounted on said frame and comprising a transverse screw threaded through a traveling nut, an extensible link pivoted at its rear end to said nut and pivotally connected at its forwardv end to said drawbar, said'link comprising a telescopic sliding connection intermediate its ends, and mechanism comprising an arcuate support intermediate the ends of said link for locking the'latter at an adjusted angle relative to the drawbar,

1l, In a road-working machine, the combination with a frame, of a drawbar flexibly connected at its forward end to said frame, a road-working limplement carried by said drawbar, a link member pivotally connected to said drawbar, mechanism connected to said link to adjust the same on its pivotal connection to said drawbar to various angular positions relative to the line of draft of the machine, and means for locking said link in adjusted angular relation to the drawbar.

12. In a road-working machine, the combination with a frame, of a drawbar flexibly connected at its forward end to said frame, transverse shift ing mechanism comprising a transverse `screw and a traveling nut, an extensible link pivotally connected at its rear end to said nut and pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear end of said drawbar, and releasable locking mechanism between therear end 'of said drawbar and said link intermediate the ends of the latter to enable said shifting mechanism to swing said link on its forward pivot to either limit of angular adjustment in accordance with the limits of travel of said nut when said locking mechanism is released so that when the link is locked at either limit of angular adjustment, operation of the shifting mechanism will enable the rear end of said drawbar and the road-working implement carried thereby to be shifted laterally to its maximum extent while in road-grading position.

13. In a road-working machine, the combination with a vehicle, of a drawbar pivotally connected at its forward end to the forward end portion of said vehicle, a road-working implement carried by the rear portion of said drawbar, an arcuate support extending rearwardly from the rear end of said drawbar, transverse shifting mechanism on said frame rearwardly of said drawbar, an extensible link pivoted at its forward end to said arcuatesupport and pivoted at its rear end to said. transverse shifting' mechanism, and means for securing said link to said arcuate support in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to said drawbar.

14. In a road-working machine, the combination with a frame, of a drawbar connected thereto, a road-working implement carried -by said drawbar, mechanism comprising spaced-apart hangers for adjusting the elevation of the rear end of said drawbar together with said road-working implement, an 'arcuate support pivoted to the rear end of said drawbar on an axis extending transversely thereof, an extensible link pivoted `to said support onian axis extending vtransversely of said first-named support, mechanism for locking said link in adjusted relation. to said arcuate support, and transverse shifting mechanism connected between the same frame and the rear end of said extensible link.

15. In a, bankcutting machine,l the combination with a Vehicle', of a drawbar pivotally connected at its forward end to said vehicle, a bank cutting implement carried by said drawbar, mechanism comprising extensible hangers for adjusting the elevation and vinclination of the bank cutting implement relative of said vehicle, a support pivoted to the rear end of said drawbar on an axis extending horizontally and transversely of` the path of ytravel of the machine when the said cutting implement is in road grading' position, transverse shifting mechanism mounted on said vehicle rearwardly of said support, an extensible link pivotally connected at itsforward end to said support and pivotally connected at its rear end to said shifting mechanism, and means for securing said link intermediate its ends to said support in any one of a plurality of angular positions to vary the extent of lateral shifting of the implement when in road grading position and to enable said implement to be moved to a relatively high bank-cutting position when one of said hangers is relatively short and the other relatively long.-

l16. In a road graden, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a drawbar pivotally connected at its front end to said frame, a mold-board carried by said drawbar, means comprising spacedapart extensible supporting hangers for adjusting the elevation of 'the noldboard and the inclination thereof relative to the vertical, transverse laterally shifting mechanism carried by said vehicle frame, a link structure having a rear section and a forward section, a universal joint between the rear section and said transverse laterally shifting mechanism, a pivotal connection between the forward section and the rear end of said drawbaron an axis extending tra'nsversely of such drawbar parallel to the road surface when the moldboard is in horizontal road grading position, said link structure comprising a pivot between said sections on an axis extending transversely of the aforesaid transverse axis to afford relative adjustment between said sections. and means for securing said sections together to render said link structure inexible relative to the 18. In a road machine, the combination with a i main frame, of a tool-supporting frame, a road workingl tool carried `by said tool-supporting frame, a draft connection between said tool-supporting frame and said main frame, means toI support the tool-supporting Aframe from the main frame comprising spaced hangers each adjust- 'able in length, laterally shifting mechanism between said tool-supporting frame and said main frame including a train of co-operating pivotally connected members one of which comprises a so as to be rigid against lateral ilexing when the tool-supporting frame is in road-grading position, such laterally shifting mechanism being adapted to co-operate with the lhangers for positioning and maintaining the tool-supporting frame at an angle to one side of the main frame in bank-sloping position.

19. In a road grading machine, the combinaf tionv with a vehicle frame, of a supplemental frame connected thereto, a road working implement carried. by said supplemental frame. mechanism comprising spaced-apart hangers connected between said vehicle frame and said supplemental frame for eifecting'adjustment of the road-working implement in elevation and transverse inclination relative to the roadway, laterally shifting mechanism extending 4rearwardly from said supplemental frame to said vehicle frame and comprising an extensible connection adapted to be adjusted to various angular relations to the longitudinal axis of said\ supple mental frame, such angular relation on one side of the-machine being opposite to that on the other side of the machine to afford a wide variation in the lateral shifting of the road-working imple-r ment from both sides' of the machine, and mechanism for operating said laterally `shifting mechanism from the vehicle frame after lsuch angular adjustments have been made. i

20. In a roadworking machine, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a drawbar frame, a road working implement carried by said drawbar frame, a flexible connection between the forward end of said drawbar frame and said'vehicle frame, spaced-apart extensible hangers between said main frame and the rear portionof said drawbar frame, laterally shifting mechanism on the vehicle frame, extensible connecting mechanism extendinglongitudinally of the machine from the rear end of the'drawbar frame to said laterally shifting mechanism, said extensible connecting mechanism being flexible on a horizontall transverse axis in response to the operation of the hangers but rigid against lateral ilexure to render eil'ectivev the laterally mechanism in eifecting lateral adjustment of the vroad-working implement, said extensible connecting mechanism comprising members adapted to be adjusted relatively to each other with one member in lateral angular relation to the drawbar with said members in triangular relation to the longitudinal Iaxis of the machine, the construction and arrangement being such as to enable said hangers and the connections between the ends of the drawbar and the vehicle frame to 4serve as the sole support for the drawbar and the road-working implement and to enable the hangers when extended to dierent lengths one relatively long andl the other relatively short to eifect movement of the road vworking implement to steep bank-cutting position at one side of the machine.

21. In a roadgrader, the combination'with a vehicle frame, of a supplemental frame connected thereto, a grader blade. mounted on said supplefas- position, and means for adjusting said hangers frame. mental frame, spaced-apart hangers connecting,

said frames, laterally shifting mechanism spaced rearwardly from the rear end ofl said supplemental frame, an extensible'device connected to said laterally shifting mechanism and extending forwardly therefrom, mechanism connecting said 5 extensible device to said supplemental frame in angular relation to the longitudinal axis thereof and to occupy an upwardly extending position when thegrader blade is in steep bank-cutting l0 in co-operation with said laterally shifting mechanism to eiect adjustment of the grader blade to steep bank-cutting position, the construction and arrangement being such that when the graderblade is in steep bank-cutting position the 15 upward slope of the said extensible device eflects such elevation of the rear end of the supplemental frame as to position its axis to extend rearwardly substantially above said laterally shifting mechanism, such angular relation-of said extensible device eifecting elevation of the supplemental frame while moving out from under the vehicle frame to one side thereby affording clearance of the heel of the blade fromthe road surface.'

22: In a bank-cutting machine, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a drawbar flexibly connected at its forward end to the front end of said vehicleframe, spaced extensible hangers between said vehicle frame and said drawbar, a grader blade carried by said drawbar,laterally shifting mechanism on said vehicle frame spaced rearwardly from the rear end of said drawbar, a support pivotally connected to the rear end of said drawbar, an extensible device pivotally connected to said support and pivotally connected to said laterally shifting mechanism, mechanism securing said extensible device in adjusted angular relation to the longitudinal axis of said drawbar, and means for operating said hangers .with one shorter than the other in co-operation vwith said 40 laterally shifting mechanism to effect movement of said extensible device to an upwardly sloping position to secure positioning of the drawbar axis over and above the laterally shifting mechanism,

such angular relation of said extensible device securing elevation of the rear end of the drawbar as it moves out from under the vehicle frame to one side thereof.

23. In a road grader, thecombination with a wheel supported frame, of a drawbar pivpted to I0 the front portion of said frame, a moldboard adjustably carried by said drawbar, and adjustable connections extending' 'from the rear end of said drawbar and longitudinally thereof to the rear portion of said frame, said connections comprising l5 laterally spaced-apart attaching means respectively adjustable to occupy positions on opposite sides of the machine. Y.

24.' A road grading machine comprising the combination with' supporting framework, of a .0 road working implement and a drawbar carried by said framework, means spaced from the rear end of the drawbar longitudinally ofthe machine v for shifting the drawbar and said road working implement laterally of the said framework, and .I adjustable connections extending rearwardly from said drawbar and longitudinally thereof to said shifting means and comprising laterally spaced-apart attaching means for enabling said. drawbar vto be supported on opposite sides of said 10 msnxmrnmnnr. 

